Italy 2 Germany 0

And played at such a pace. From a selfish point of view, I was glad the Germans lost so they won't be on a high in September when they meet us. An anti-climax for them hopefully

What I also found interesting was that the demeanour of the two managers was the exact opposite to the national stereotypes: Lippi, calm and calculating on the sideline, Kilinsmans emotional and demonstrative. You'd expect it the other way round for an Italian and German :D

Game of the tournament as was a great game in a semi final full of play for the real football fan. Great to watch the contrast in styles & clearly different game plans.

Italy won because they attacked the germans yet never in a manner to leave themselves exposed. I lost count of the number of times their midfield 3 stole the ball of the germans. The Del Peiro substitution for Perotto won the game & showed the new Italy living up to pre tournament reputation as more adventurous.

Totti wasn't great but to say he was rubbish is unfair. He is there for a little bit of inspiration at key monents & did setup a few chances. Lippi has dropped him in earlier games & if he thought was bad would have subbed him for Del Piero. I think Totti suffered a lot in extra time probably due to the fact he was out injured with a broken leg for the 2nd half of the Serie A season.

Cannavaro, Materazzi & Pirlo were great. If France get the final Henry will have a lot of trouble seeing much of the ball against that central defence.

Grossos celebration was Tardelli-esque :D

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Totti was rubbish last night. Italy played with 10 men for long spels in my view. Every time he got the ball he tried a first time pass and kept on giving it back to the Germansy. What a rubbish performance from him and the only reason Lippi kept him on in my view was for the penalties. Its an insult to Cannavoro that you have added his name to the list along with Totti. Cannavarro reresented all that was right about Italian football and Totti represented all that was wrong in my view.

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Well that's your point of view and you're right to let me know.
Totti is a constant threat to all the teams he plays. All his moves are dangerous and he is constantly surrounded by 2 or 3 players which says enough.
You also have to consider that he is still recovering from a long and severe injury. I still think therefore, that he made an impact on yesterday's game.

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Originally Posted by pete

Grossos celebration was Tardelli-esque :D

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Absolutely - I reckon he had a bet with his mates that he would do it if he scored................great:D

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Originally Posted by Junior

Absolutely - I reckon he had a bet with his mates that he would do it if he scored................great:D

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Italian celebrations are always great. Football is all about passion. We want players to look like they care & show it.

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Originally Posted by pete

Grossos celebration was Tardelli-esque :D

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...do you really remember that? In Italy it became a sort of symbol of the 80s!!!

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Originally Posted by pete

Italian celebrations are always great. Football is all about passion.

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Judging by the Italian celebrations after every goal I honestly think they want to win this cup more than any other team. They go ballistic after every goal. :)

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Originally Posted by Sandro

...do you really remember that? In Italy it became a sort of symbol of the 80s!!!

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Its one of 'the' images in World Cup history (for me anyway) up there with Diego's hand in '86

Forza Regazzi, I hope they go all the way now!

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Judging by the Italian celebrations after every goal I honestly think they want to win this cup more than any other team. They go ballistic after every goal. :)

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Does anybody know what does Luca Toni mean every time he celebrates like that after a goal? Turn up the (supporters') volume?

http://www.notasdefutbol.com/images/luca-toni.jpg

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Originally Posted by Sandro

Does anybody know what does Luca Toni mean every time he celebrates like that after a goal? Turn up the (supporters') volume?

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It's something to do with going crazy. I read it on an Italian forum but no quite sure how it originated.